A REPORT has revealed that only 23 per cent of 18 and 19 year olds from Swindon go on to universities and further education colleges.
The report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England shows Swindon is lagging behind the UK average of 30 per cent.
It has prompted the University of Bath in Swindon to pledge to continue its work in encouraging young people into higher education.
It believes that to compete in the 21st century market the town must have a skilled workforce.
It is setting up Widening Participation schemes in the town and increasing the work it does in schools and neighbourhoods.
The vice chancellor of the University of Bath, Professor Glynis Breakwell, said: "Swindon's future and the future of its youth depends on being prepared for the major changes taking place in the world of work in the UK. The University of Bath in Swindon wants to ensure that the town's young people have every opportunity to acquire the skills they need to be at the forefront of these changes."
Dr Faith Butt, director of the university's Oakfield Campus, said: "The university is actively working on plans to develop part-time university courses at the Oakfield Campus, prior to the development of a new campus.
"Such programmes will encourage new people to enter higher education."
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